Lucknow local participates in Niagara Ride for Dad

Tony Miltenburg stands next to his Honda Valkyrie, the motorcycle he drove in the Niagara Ride for Dad fundraiser. Thanks to the generosity of Lucknow locals, Miltenburg was able to raise $6,130 for the charity that is very dear to his heart.

Since 2007 Tony Miltenburg and his brother in law Jack Boulet, of Orillia, have been participating in the motorcycle Ride for Dad event.

Ride for Dad is a fundraising event for prostate cancer. Those participating will collect money to sponsor the ride. The ride involves a group of motorcyclists riding in different cities across Canada each year. This year’s ride was in Niagara. Other years, Miltenburg has gone to London, Kitchener, North Bay and Orillia.

This year Miltenburg raised $6,130, thanks to friends and families in the Lucknow area. This large amount of money put him in the second runner up place this year. Over his 12 years riding, he has collected $80,145.

Since 2000, Ride for Dad has donated more than $33 million to prostate research. This year’s event in Niagara saw a total of $63,438 raised.

Boulet has friends who have passed away from colon cancer, which is why the pair decided to raise money for a similar cause.

“As helpful as the research money is, the ride is all about awareness,” explained Miltenburg. “When you see over 200 bikers together, people wonder what up.”

Miltenburg strongly believes in making people aware of prostate cancer, he explains, “(it) is very easy to detect early on, and it is curable”.

The event is sponsored mainly by Telus, as well as many other businesses that make it possible to donate 100% of the money raised to research, rather than the cost of the event. Each year about 60 volunteer their time for the ride.

This years top three riders, Pierre Garneau who raised $6,755, Carmen Roblin who raised $6,755 andTony Miltenberg, who raised $6,160.